Historic Town Of Wymondham In Norfolk

Wymondham, a civil parish and historic town in Norfolk, lies close to Norwich along the A11 heading to London and Thetford. The town has an interesting history. It received a market charter in 1204 from the reigning monarch King John, although it is likely that a market had been held here for some time previous to this. Wymondham's most famous character is Robert Kett, the leader of the 1549 rebellion that protested enclosing common land and, with a nearly unarmed group of men held Norwich for more than a month until the King's men defeated them. Kett was hanged in Norwich Castle and the claimed rallying point, an oak tree now called Kett's Oak, can still be seen on the road between Hethersett and Wymondham. In 1615 a Great Fire broke out destroying over 300 buildings, including some very important properties such as Market Cross, the Vicar Street vicarage, the schoolhouse and the town hall. A number of buildings did survive and these, such as many Damgate Street houses, date to the 1400s. The fire was attributed to three gypsies and a local woman, who were all summarily hanged for their part in the destruction. In the 1800s, the wool industry collapsed and this led to much poverty in the area, resulting in the town becoming largely a backwater during the Victorian era. The re-built Market Cross is now in use as a visitor information centre and was built on stilts to protect its contents from vermin and flood. The railway station is award-winning and features an unusual piano showroom as well as a famous themed restaurant, Brief Encounter, which was featured the 1996 comedy 'Caught in the Act'. The site also has a railway museum and the station has been featured on television in the popular serial 'Dad's Army'. Wymondham originally had two railway stations but the other, Spinks Lane, closed in the 1800s not long after opening. Notable persons that have resided in the Wymondham area include amongst others, Bill Bryson, travel writer and humorist; Justin Hawkins, lead singer of the band The Darkness; the poet George Szirtes; and Simon Beaufort, who wrote smash hit films 'Slumdog Millionaire' and 'The Full Monty'. Possibly Wymondham's most well-known landmark, Wymondham Abbey was constructed in 1107. Its twin towers were built, one by the people of the town and one by the monastic brethren, as there was dissatisfaction with how the church served each of these factions. The Abbey now serves as the local parish church. The town has been a centre for wood-turning and weaving in the past and now the area boasts a diverse range of industries. Lotus Cars is nearby and Norfolk Constabulary has its operations centre based here. Wymondham also has the dubious distinction of being home to the first prison built to prison reformer John Howard's specifications in 1785, which then became the prototype for the new style of prisons constructed in both America and England. Nature lovers will enjoy the various foot and cycle paths through Tolls Meadow, a managed woodland and wet meadow that is home to a diverse range of species and that is a conservation area used for public enjoyment and education.

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